Having a waterproof gadget is no longer just for show or added advantage to standard counterparts, it’s becoming increasingly sought-after for its practicality.
Remember the time you (or a friend) were frantically searching for a way to save your electronics after accidentally spilling a drink all over it or dropping it in the pool? Perhaps it’s time to invest in one that’ll save you the worry, even if you’re lucky enough to never have experienced such a tragedy.
Having a waterproof gadget is no longer just for show or added advantage to standard counterparts, it’s becoming increasingly sought-after for its safety and practicality. Just look at Apple’s latest iPhones, which have come to include water-resistance to match closest rivals, the Samsung Galaxy family. Sure, it could have been a competitive move, but we all know supply comes with demand and the demand now follows the idea that protection is better than cure.
That said, we’ve picked out five waterproof gadgets to invest in today for a splashing good time anywhere.
Waterproof smartwatch: Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45
There are many waterproof smartwatches in the market currently, but one of our favourites to debut this year is the Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45. The first smartwatch by the world-renowned watch manufacturer sets a high standard with its stunning design in titanium, ceramic and 18K rose gold finishes, and 56 different customisation options for the lugs, buckles, and straps. Since it’s waterproof up to 50 metres, a dip in the pool is no issue – but you might want to opt for a rubber strap over leather or titanium. Connect it to your phone for more features (compatible with Android 4.3+ or iOS 9+). W tagheuer.com
Waterproof earphones: Bragi Dash Pro
Besides being one of the best wireless earphones around in terms of sound quality, the Bragi Dash Pro also comes with IPX7, allowing submersion up to 1 metre or 3.2 feet. This means you can wear it for a run, cycle, or swim without letting your sweat or the pool deter you from listening to your favourite music, while receiving live audio feedback of your performance (steps, cadence, pool laps, etc.) at the same time! W bragi.com
(See also: 5 wireless earphones for a tangle-free audio experience.)
Waterproof camera(s): Sony FDR-X3000R and HDR-AS300R
Dubbed the new BOSSes (Balanced Optical SteadyShot) of the action camera world, the Sony FDR-X3000R and HDR-AS300R cameras are optimised for still images and video-recording of casual, daily activities or sports and travelling. Both models come equipped with waterproofing up to 60 metres with the supplied Underwater Housing, a new ZEISS® Tessar lens and 1/2.5 type 8.2-megapixel Exmor R™ CMOS censor designed for 16:9 aspect ratio video, plus a powerful BIONZ X™ processor to ensure excellent quality across all settings. There’s also a Live Review Remote in a wearable and mountable design to allow users to control shooting, even when the camera is not accessible. The main difference between the two lies in the resolution – 4K for former vs Full HD for latter – which really comes down to personal needs. W sony.com.my
(More: Join the “MY Sony Action Cam community” here.)
Waterproof speaker: JBL Charge 3
With a waterproof rating of IPX7/3ATM, 20 hours of battery life, and charge-and-play on-the-go feature, it’s safe to say the JBL Charge 3 will keep your music playing whenever and wherever. It may be on the bulkier side at 213 x 87 x 88.5mm and 1.76 pounds, but considering its powerful performance with all types of music genres, we’d be happy to compromise on size and weight. Now you can tell your buddies you’ve got the music covered for that barbeque pool party you’ve all been planning. W jbl.com
(See also: Waterproof speakers for your summer soundtrack.)
Waterproof fitness tracker: Garmin Vivosmart 3
Designed to withstand water up to 5ATM, the Garmin Vivosmart 3 is one serious fitness tracker for athletes, swimmers and sportspersons. On top of the usual fitness tracking features such as measuring steps, cadence, sleep, calories burned, floors climbed, and heart-rate, it comes with smartwatch features and downloadable apps through Garmin Connect, as well as an impressive battery life of up to 5 days. W garmin.com.my
(See more: The fitness trackers to stay stylish on top of fit).
Images: Courtesy of respective brands